FERGUSON MOUNTAIN

York CountySouth Carolina Forestry Commission

​October 8, 1949: "Thomas E. Ferguson has been appointed fire warden for the Sharon district to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Perry S. Russell. Ferguson was formerly employed as towerman at the Ferguson Mountain lookout tower for 29 months. This advancement to warden leaves a vacancy at the Ferguson Mountain tower. Application blanks for this position can be obtained from the County Ranger's office in York." (Rock Hill Herald)

​October 10, 1988: "For two decades, Leroy Barnett has kept a careful watch over northern York County. Last week, Barnett climbed the 50 steep steps of the Ferguson Mountain Lookout Tower for the last time. Barnett, 63, has been watching for suspicious smoke and reporting suspected wildfires from his lofty perch above the rural Bethel community since Aug. 12, 1968, when he joined the S.C. State Forestry Commission. Barnett has 'done us a real good job up there.' said York County Ranger John branch. A former dairy farmer and an employee of the Farmers Service Center in Bethel. Barnett was the most experienced of three tower operators in York County, Branch said." (The Rock HillHerald)